More (Ridiculous) Terrain Opening

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Published on Tuesday, 25 November 2014 16:48

Written by John Paul Bradley

It's 4:28 and the snowguns are still going. While we always want to avoid closing part of our mountain, the decision to make snow on Midway is proving to be a good one. Temperatures and humidity stayed just right all day, and we'll keep the guns going tonight and part of tomorrow. Our plan is to push out the piles tomorrow night and be ready to open this terrain starting Thursday.

When we weren't making snow, we were sidestepping Oops, Flower, No Caboose and Butterfly. I was able to take a few turns on these runs, and I have to tell you: these were the best runs I've had in at least two years. The snow is ridiculous - I had to keep reminding myself that we're still in November, not January. It really looks like winter around here.

I also had a chance to ski what I'm calling "Gamble Glades." This is a swath of our tree skiing on Gamble Trees, and over the summer we spent considerable time thinning out this run. Sipapu is known for its tree skiing, and our intention was to create a run that would be ideal for those who want to try or improve their skills on gladed terrain. It took a lot of planning and a lot of hard work - and it skied really well. I can't wait to open this trail.

Our plan is to open Lift #3 and Lift #4 on a half day rotation starting Thursday (Lift #4 will be open in the morning, and Lift #3 will be open in the afternoon). We're gunning to have Razmataz, Jimmy Pop, Smart Chicken, "Gamble Glades," No Caboose, Worm and Upper Chopos open. We'll also have all of the trails around Lift #3 open, including Brandy, Candy, Playground and Flight School (Playground and Flight School typically house our organic parks. These parks are not yet open, but the terrain around them will be).

Starting this Monday, December 1, our Patrol will begin working on Jip and Josh Chutes, Indecision and Reasonable Anxiety. Our intention will be to have these runs - and possibly more - ready by the time daily operations begin, on Friday, December 5.

One final note: our assistant mountain manager, Chris Bell, made an excellent point on our Facebook page today that's worth repeating:This is a good time to remind people that we don't close runs to keep them out of the prime powder. We do it for the safety of our guests. In an area where snowaking is going on, there are high voltage wires powering our snow guns hidden under the snow as well as water lines that are very expensive and easily sliced by the edge of a ski or snowboard. Even if you don't see snowmaking on a closed trail, it could lead into a snowmaking area. Please stay out of the closed areas, and if you see snowmaking hose laying along the side of a trail, please try not to slide over it. Thanks!